&#34;Pill caddy&#34; &#34;container caddy&#34;

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for storing and dispensing items. A container is provided with an interior divided into two or more substantially identically-sized and identically-shaped compartments that is closed by a lid. The lid includes a bottom dial that is rotatably engaged to the container and a top cap that is rotatably engaged to the dial. Openings are formed in both the dial and the cap having a size and shape approximately identical to the size and shape of the compartments formed in the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/795,022, filed Oct. 9, 2012.

The present invention relates to a container called a “Pill Caddy” and/or “Container Caddy”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A small and portable sectioned container with secure turning lid for pills or food stuffs (or drinks) most probably made of a light-weight plastic. The container has these uses in its original embodiment, but may have other multiple uses such as storing and dispensing other small items which might include nails, screws, buttons, etc. When pills (or snacks) are placed in the individual compartments or sections, they can be dispensed by turning the circular dial lid to the appropriate section and pouring out only the pill (or pills) or food or drink from that section. The container is made of plastic with the inside being divided into pie-shaped wedge openings. The dividers may be fixed or removable and run from the top of the container vertically to the bottom. There can be from 2 sections to 8 sections or possibly more in the container depending on the size.

There is a locking mechanism on the lower part of the lid so pills, food, or drinks (or other items) will not spill out. The top part of the lid which is attached to the lower part, turns and one “open” wedge moves to uncover another wedge that is open underneath. The pills or food snacks or other items from that section can then be dispensed when the unit is turned over. The cover or lid may have a sliding mechanism to open and close the opening. It may, too, have an additional locking mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In the preferred embodiment indicated generally at reference numeral 10 in the figures where the container 12 is used for storing and transporting pills (not shown) separately and dispensing them separately, the device is small and light in weight and able to fit inside of a purse or pocket or briefcase. (Approximately 2″×3″ in diameter or possibly slightly bigger). However in other embodiments, the device may be made in any suitable size of any suitable material to store separately and dispense separately different items. In the original embodiment the container 12 would be turned over to dispense or pour out items one section 14 at a time, however, depending on the size or use, one could insert a straw or utensil (or finger) into an opening to retrieve something from one or more of the compartments 14 within the container 12.

The lid 16 could be turned in either direction. The lid 16 may have a sliding mechanism 18 to open and close the opening 20 or a mechanism 22 (see FIG. 5) that you gently tap and it opens up to uncover the open wedge or compartment 14. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the lid 16 would have one solid wedge and you then turn the open wedge back to that position for it to be closed. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the lid 16 is comprised of a bottom dial 24 that fits over the container 12 with the pills or other items in the compartments 14 in separate sections—to be stored separately and dispensed from one section at a time. The top part of lid 16, or cap 26, rotates relative to the dial 24 and locks 28, 30 are provided for restricting rotation of each of dial 24 and caps 26 relative to container 12 so as to seal off the compartments 14 of container 12 in embodiments that are not provided with either the above-described sliding mechanism 18 or the tap to open mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As will be apparent from the presence of the locks 28, 30, the container 12 is closed when the dial 24 and cap 26 are rotated so that the openings 20 in each respective part of lid 16 are not aligned and the locks 28, 30 are utilized to resist relative movement between dial 24 and cap 26 so that container 12 stays closed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the locks 28, 30 need not be constructed in the form shown in the figures and that resistance to relative movement of dial 24 and cap 26 can also be accomplished by structure such as serations on the inside surface of container 12 that are engaged by the outside surface of dial 24 and/or a series of detents or other structure formed on the spindle on which cap 26 is rotatably mounted to dial 24.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As noted above, the openings of the lid 16 shown in FIG. 5 are closed by a slide 18 that you slide back or press and it “pops open” to display open space underneath, or one section remains solid and fixed and the open V-shaped wedge is moved back to that solid place to close. In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, container 12 is provided with outside surfaces 32 that are configured and/or provided with the ability to mark the different sections 14 of container 12 or color code in some way for identification of the contents of each compartment 14. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for storing and/or dispensing items comprising: a container having an interior divided into two or more substantially identically-sized and identically-shaped compartments; a lid for closing said container, said lid comprised of a bottom dial and a top cap, the bottom dial being rotatably engaged to said container and the top cap being rotatably engaged to the bottom dial; and openings formed in each of the dial and the top of said lid having a size and shape approximately identical to the size and shape of the compartments formed in said container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a lock on the dial of said lid for sliding into engagement with said container.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising a lock on the cap of said lid for sliding into engagement with the dial of said lid. 